IPGA SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP DAY 2-ROUND 1

IRONS & WOODS OPENING THIS FALL IN LONG GROVE IL. On Rt.53 North of Lake Cook Road (behind Menards). HDGolf simulators, and slot machines. Golf season is now year round in the Chicago area. Come out and enjoy Irons & Woods all year round. ______________________________________________________________________

The Illinois PGA Section Championship at Ruth Lake Country Club.

THE ILLINOIS PGA cancelled the First Round of the section championship, after repeated rain storms soaked the Ruth Lake Country Club.

So in effect, they called a do-over.

The round was cancelled, after 36 players in the field had posted scores. Besides that, there were more players on the last 2 or 3 holes, that were near finishing.

Whether or not it was right thing to do, it left a bad taste in the mouth of many of the pro’s for one reason or another. What came to light on Tuesday morning, was the clubs superintendent telling the IPGA on Monday afternoon. That after the third rain delay, the course was unplayable.

By Tuesday, there was talk that the restart issue needs to be addressed by the section board later this year. Another surprise, was the championship being shortend to 36 holes. Which had been done before. In the 1990’s when rains hampered play at Kemper Lakes, shortening the event.

Mike Small drains his birdie putt on the 18th hole, to close out a stellar round of 63, in the delayed first round of the Illinois PGA Section Championship at Ruth Lake CC.

What wasn’t a surprise, is that 12-time winner of the championship, University of Illinois coach Mike Small. Shot a lights-out 8 under par 63. So Small holds a 5 shot lead over Andy Mickelson from Mistwood Golf Club, whose birdie on 16, got him to 3 under par.

Small’s opening round on Monday was a 1 under par 70. So with the benefit of an extra practice round, Small came out and lit up Ruth Lake on Tuesday.

Click here, to hear interviews with Mike Small and Andy Mickelson the Round 1 leaders.

Kurt Rogers of the South Side Country Club, made an Ace on the par 3 third hole. Rogers holed a 3-wood from 242 yards.

Second and final action is underway at Ruth Lake. Golfers on Golf returns returns with a final recap later today.

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About Rory Spears

Rory spent over 8 years growing up working at Rob Roy Golf Club in Prospect Hts.IL, then two years at Chevy Chase in Wheeling. He has covered golf in Chicago since 1986. Rory was one of the initial members of WSCR all-sports radio Chicago and covered golf there for 5 seasons, before moving on to work for ESPN/Sportsticker and ESPN Radio. In addition to hosting Golfers on Golf Radio on WCPT AM820 Chicago, he writes for both the Chicago District (CDGA) Magazine, and formerly Chicagoland Golf. Rory has played over 525 courses in 39 states, and rates golf courses. He does golf course management and communications consulting, within the golf industry.